Source: Publisher
Description: Library director Lindsey Norris is happy to learn the Briar Creek Public Library is the beneficiary of the Dorchester family’s vast book collection. However, when Lindsey and the library staff arrive at the old Victorian estate to gather the books, things take a sinister turn. One of the bookcases reveals a secret passage, leading to a room where a skeleton is found, clutching an old copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Lindsey does a quick check of missing persons, using the distinctive 80s era clothing worn by the deceased to determine a time frame, and discovers that Briar Creek has an unsolved missing person’s case from 1989. A runaway bride went missing just weeks after her wedding. No suspects were ever arrested and the cold case remains unsolved. Lindsey and the crafternoon crew decide that justice is overdue and set about solving the old murder mystery, using some novel ideas to crack the case.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I love this series and I couldn't resist this one with a cold case runaway bride premise.
My Impression: This was such a great Halloween cozy! Not only does it take place during the fall but it involves a creepy old mansion, a hidden room complete with skeleton, a decades old feud, and an old mystery with very current emotions running very close to the surface.
The pace of this story was super fast. I finished it until two days but if it wasn't for the need to sleep I would have happily finished it in one night. Right at the beginning we get introduced to William Dorchester and the story of the Runaway Bride. William left town decades ago under quite the cloud and his return to town brings back all kinds of rumors. And it allows Lindsey to get into the Dorchester mansion and start cataloging and packing up the library full of rare books.
I really enjoyed seeing more of Lindsey and Sully's relationship as they are settling into marriage as well as having the crafternooners have more of a full time role. As well since it was a cold case Emma welcomes more assistance in the investigation which makes for some interesting scenes. I did miss Ms. Cole and seeing Lindsey in the library more but I enjoyed this book more than enough to make up for it.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I have really enjoyed every book in this series and really every book I've read by this author.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy a fun cozy with spooky overtones then I think you'd really enjoy this book!
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy a fun cozy with spooky overtones then I think you'd really enjoy this book!
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I love the title - so clever! And the premise sounds intriguing. Thank you for a lovely review - I've made a note of the author as I'm reading a lot more cosy mysteries these days.
ReplyDeleteThat title is so cute. Nice that it's perfect for Halloween too. Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteA creepy old mansion with a secret passageway behind a bookcase? Fun! :D
ReplyDeleteI really have to read this series. It sounds just like my kind of book.
ReplyDeleteI really need to read this series. I am convinced that I would love it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't got to this series yet! But your enthusiasm for this one makes me want to get there sooner.
ReplyDelete